Worcestershire CCC have pulled off a major coup with the former Governor of the Bank of England, Lord Mervyn King, becoming their new president for the county's 150th anniversary year in 2015.
And Lord King's predecessor in the role at New Road, John Elliott, has described the appointment as "a wonderful decision and a great name to be associated with the cricket club."
Lord King is a long term patron of the county and passionate supporter for more than 50 years stretching back to the club's first County Championship title triumph in 1964.
He is keen to play an active role in what is a landmark year for Worcestershire and predicts "exciting times ahead" with the major redevelopment of New Road in the past decade and the young, talented squad which has earned promotion to Division One in the Championship.
Former Worcestershire wicket-keeper Elliott, who also spent eight years as club chairman, said: "I think it is a wonderful decision. He is a very passionate supporter of Worcestershire. He has a lot to offer. Already he's on the phone and emailing two or three times a week.
"But he will be around on the cricket circuit as well and is going to help with our fund-raising for the 150th anniversary year. It's a great name to have associated with the club, brilliant.
"I've been to his office for lunch twice and he has got a cricket ball there on the desk from when he got five wickets playing for the Bank and an Aston Villa football sign on the other side.
"He's passionate about Worcestershire and Villa. He's followed the county for a long time and he loves meeting and talking about ex players like Roy Booth, Norman Gifford etc."
Lord King said: "It is a great honour to be asked to serve as President of Worcestershire County Cricket Club. My youth was spent at New Road watching the first Worcestershire side to win the County Championship exactly fifty years ago.
"With the 150th anniversary next year, there is much to celebrate in our history and the future is even brighter.
"Today’s team of talented young players, and the redevelopment and transformation of the facilities at New Road, promise exciting times ahead."
Worcestershire chief executive and former county all-rounder David Leatherdale said: "He is passionate about cricket, passionate about the club and is keen to play an active role.
"To have someone of Mervyn's stature and reputation involved with the cricket club will only be beneficial as we go into our 150th anniversary and long term going forward."
Mervyn King, whose official title is Lord King of Lothbury KG GBE FBA, served as Governor of the Bank of England and Chairman of the Monetary Policy Committee and Financial Policy Committee from July 2003 to June 2013.
He was knighted (GBE) in 2011, made a life peer in 2013, and appointed by The Queen to be a Knight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter (KG) earlier this year.
Lord King is currently Professor of Economics and Law at the New York University Stern School of Business and NYU School of Law, and School Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics.
In addition to being a Patron of Worcestershire CCC, he is Trustee of the National Gallery, a member of the Advisory Council of the London Symphony Orchestra, and a Director of the All England Lawn Tennis Club.
